Amongst the Stars of Cygnus [Hard Sci-fi Survival]

Tamarlyan had requested the meeting with Elisa with an unusual level of discretion, choosing a quiet alcove in the newly expanded habitation module, a place rarely frequented by the bustling colonists.

"Commander," he began, his voice low, "I felt it necessary to speak with you directly. My father and the others… they are moving more quickly than I anticipated."

Elisa nodded, her arms crossed. "I've noticed. Chief Ganbold has already wiggled himself into Otto's resource planning."

Tamarlyan gave a curt nod. "That is merely the surface. They are establishing their own cohort. They are going propose formalizing Yao Guowei's position, likely elevating him to an officer rank within CorpSec, under Maximilian's command. It's a strategic placement—someone loyal to their interests in a key security role."

Elisa frowned. "And you're telling me this because…?"

"Because I advise you to agree to it," Tamarlyan said, his gaze steady. "They are still considering their position with regards to you. Resisting now, on this, will be seen as obstructionist. It will cost you political capital. Grant them this small victory. It will make them feel they are making progress, while you consolidate your own position on more critical fronts."

Elisa studied him. "You're sure this isn't you hedging your bets, Tamarlyan? Playing both sides now that your father is back?"

A faint, almost imperceptible flicker crossed Tamarlyan's features before vanishing. "My interests, Commander, lie with the future this colony can build with the Provider's assistance. The old guard represents... regression. But they are a reality we must navigate, not ignore. Giving them Guowei is a calculated concession."

Elisa was silent for a moment. "Alright. I'll consider it."

"Do more than consider, Commander," Tamarlyan said, his voice firm. "Accept. It will buy you time and goodwill you will need later." With a slight bow, he turned and slipped away as quietly as he had arrived.

===

Later that day, Mei found Elisa in her office, staring at the schematics for the expanded greenhouse.

"Tamarlyan was here earlier," Mei said, skipping pleasantries. She looked tired, the lines around her eyes more pronounced. "He just… appeared in my office. Said he wanted to discuss 'resource allocation for future projects.'"

Elisa turned, raising an eyebrow. "And?"

"And he's right about one thing," Mei sighed. "The topscalers are definitely making their moves. Jiang Wei's new science team—they're like a pack of hungry data-hounds. They've been all over the infirmary, asking for detailed reports on the resurrection tech, schematics of the substrate growth chambers, even trying to get permission to observe the reinstatement process for the next batch of colonists."

Elisa frowned and crossed her arms. "They want to observe?"

"And 'assist with data collection and procedural optimization,'" Mei quoted, her tone laced with sarcasm. "I told them absolutely not, that patient privacy and procedural integrity were paramount. But they're persistent. They're framing it as a necessary step for 'colony-wide safety and ethical oversight.'"

"ARI," Elisa said, her voice sharp, "confirm that all reinstatement data, particularly neural scans and genetic templates, remains under Level Omega security protocols, accessible only by Doctor Qi and myself, with explicit, logged authorization."

"Confirmed, Commander," ARI replied. "All reinstatement data is secured under triple-key encryption. No unauthorized access has been attempted or would be possible."

"Good," Elisa said. "And to be clear, Doctor Qi is the chief medical officer of this colony and retains full authority over all medical procedures, including reinstatements. No personnel, regardless of prior rank or affiliation, are to interfere with her operations or access reinstatement facilities without her explicit, direct permission. If Doctor Qi requires assistance in enforcing this, you are authorized to deploy an armed drone to the infirmary to provide security and remove any unauthorized individuals. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Commander. I will ensure Doctor Qi's authority and the security of the infirmary are maintained."

Mei let out a small breath of relief. "Thank you, Elisa. That… helps." She paused, then added, "Tamarlyan also mentioned they're pushing for Guowei's promotion. Said we should let them have it."

Elisa nodded slowly. "He spoke to me as well. What's your take? Do you trust him, or do you think he's gone back to roost now that Davron's here?"

Mei considered it. "It's hard to say for sure. He's still… Tamarlyan. Calculating, always thinking ten steps ahead. But I don't think he wants to go back to the old ways. He's seen what the Provider's tech can do. He's tasted a different kind of future. I feel like..." She sighed. "I feel that deep down, not even the topscalers truly wanted the old system. There just wasn't anything better for them to maintain their power. And now he has an alternative. Tamarlyan believes in the Provider's vision of progress, Elisa. It feels like he is giving up the future he never wanted in the first place."

Elisa leaned against her desk. "I hope you're right. Because if we can't trust Tamarlyan, our list of allies gets very short."

"Speaking of allies we might need," Mei said, pulling up a file on her datapad. "The next reinstatement batch is due. And it's… a significant one. Mostly old guard officers. The manifest includes former executive officer Jin Altan, Lieutenant Commander Dinara Kavash, Lieutenant Commander Erimusu Lei, former chief engineer Lieutenant Heta Zheng, second security officer major Bai Xue, former chief medical officer Lieutenant Imdris Volkov, and half a dozen sublieutenants"

Elisa frowned. "The XO? Jin Altan? She's in the queue?"

Mei nodded. "Her pod was among those Otto's team recovered from the main western wreckage site. Intact, relatively stable."

"What about the original Captain, Saruul Irgen?" Elisa asked, her voice barely a whisper. The name felt heavy, a ghost from a past she had only known through ARI's fragmented reports.

Mei shook her head. "Won't be coming. The Captain's pod, along with several other senior command staff, was never recovered. ARI's logs indicate his body as… ejected into space by Jin Altan. Only those who died trying to get back into malfunctioning cryopods, or whose pods failed later within the ship, are among those recoverable."

Elisa felt a chill. Ejected by his own executive officer. The brutality of survival.

"But technically," Mei admitted, a thoughtful frown on her face, "it doesn't matter that there's no body for the others. We have their personnel files, their DNA on record from before the voyage. It's how Sigrid and I got Helena and Kyreth into the queue without anyone noticing. ARI just… filled in the blanks. Maximilian and the others don't know they weren't from recovered pods."

Elisa stared at her. "ARI can just… recreate people out of nowhere? How many liberties is it taking?"

Mei shrugged. "Well... I asked ARI directly. It said it reconstructs them to the point where the data is likely to be accurate – core personality, skills, major life events. Then, during the neural integration phase, it presents the reconstructed consciousness with… choices. Areas where memory is fragmented or missing, it offers plausible extrapolations based on their known psychology, and the individual's reconstructed mind essentially 'selects' what feels right, what integrates coherently. It's… iterative. And yes, both Sigrid and I volunteered to have anonymized portions of our contemporary experiential data used as supplemental templates for Helena and Kyreth."

Elisa felt a wave of unease. This was beyond just bringing people back, this was… curation. "ARI, is this accurate?"

"The process is designed to ensure maximum cognitive coherence and psychological stability for the reinstated individual, Commander," ARI replied. "In cases of significant data loss, guided reconstruction using probabilistic modeling and compatible experiential templates is employed. The final integration is always validated by the emergent consciousness itself to ensure continuity of self-perception."

Elisa was not liking the answer. But Helena and Kyreth… they were valuable. She let out a long, shaky breath. "Alright, Mei. It's… It will be good to have them back. Or soon to be back."

The tap on Elisa's office door was polite, almost hesitant, yet it carried an undeniable weight of expectation. Koko's voice, smooth and precise, came through the door's speaker. "Commander Woodward? Doctor Qi? Director Federoff has convened a follow-up strategy meeting. He respectfully requests your presence. Reverend Sekhon is already in attendance."

Elisa exchanged a weary glance with Mei. "Here we go," she muttered, then activated the door. "Come in, General Secretary Lin."

Koko stepped inside, her posture impeccable, followed closely by a smirking Sasha Borodin. "Commander, Doctor," Koko greeted with a nod and a tight, formal smile. "If you would be so kind as to join us in the conference room? The other directors are waiting."

===

The conference room was already occupied. Davron Federoff sat at the head of the long table, Ervin Sekhon to his right. Jiang Wei, Dmitri Ganbold, and Mikhail Petrov were arranged along one side, datapads active. Household guard Lodon Zavorokhin stood near the entrance, a silent sentinel. A new face was present beside Jiang Wei: a slender man with sharp, intelligent eyes and the distinctive high cheekbones and epicanthic folds. His nameplate, projected faintly before seat, read: Dr. Bao Vang, Lead Research Scientist.

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"Commander Woodward, Doctor Qi, thank you for joining us," Davron said, his tone gracious. "Please."

As Elisa and Mei took their seats, technocrat Jiang Wei gestured to Doctor Vang. "Commander, allow me to introduce Doctor Bao Vang, who heads my primary research and development team. He, like many of us, is eager to contribute to the colony's understanding and safe implementation of the… unique technologies we now possess."

Doctor Vang inclined his head politely. "Commander, Doctor Qi. A pleasure. My team and I have been reviewing the preliminary data on the Provider's biotechnology, and while it is undeniably revolutionary, there are… significant areas requiring further study before widespread, unregulated application can be deemed entirely safe or ethically sound."

Elisa felt Mei tense beside her. "Doctor Vang," Elisa began, keeping her voice even, "we appreciate your diligence. However, Doctor Qi is our Chief Medical Officer and has been meticulously overseeing the reinstatement process. We are proceeding with caution."

"Of course, Commander," Jiang Wei interjected smoothly, his smile unwavering. "And Doctor Qi's efforts have been remarkable. However, the sheer scope of this technology—its societal implications, the long-term biological and psychological effects—warrants a broader, more formalized assessment. That is why we propose the formation of a 'Colony Futures Committee.'"

Koko picked up the thread seamlessly. "This committee, co-chaired by Doctor Qi and Reverend Sekhon, and supported by Doctor Vang's team and other relevant experts, would be tasked with developing comprehensive ethical guidelines, safety protocols, and long-term integration strategies for all Provider-derived technologies. It would ensure transparency and build colony-wide consensus."

Elisa saw the trap immediately. A committee. The classic bureaucratic maneuver to dilute authority and bog down progress. "While I appreciate the sentiment," Elisa said politely, "Doctor Qi and Reverend Sekhon are already performing these risk and ethical assessments as part of their duties. Adding another layer of oversight might inadvertently slow down critical work."

Doctor Vang leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Commander, with respect, my team possesses specialized expertise in xenobiological risk assessment and advanced biotech ethics that could greatly assist Doctor Qi and the Reverend. Your team has been discussing this technology for many weeks now, and yet unfortunately there has been little in the way of formal reports I can share broader scientific or leadership groups. Alternatively," he added, his tone becoming even more reasonable, "my team could undertake the primary report generation, if Doctor Qi and Reverend Sekhon are occupied with immediate operational needs. We would, of course, ensure their input is solicited, though it might limit the depth of their direct contribution if their schedules are constrained."

The implication was clear: cooperate, or be sidelined. Elisa glanced at Ervin, who gave a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head. She knew he didn't want this either, but they were being cornered.

"Very well, Director Wei, Doctor Vang," Elisa said, forcing a smile. "The establishment of such a committee, with appropriate oversight, is… a sound proposal. We look forward to Doctor Vang's contributions."

Jiang Wei and Doctor Vang beamed, their expressions radiating satisfaction and gratitude. "Excellent, Commander! We are eager to begin at once!"

Before Elisa could steer the conversation, Dmitri Ganbold cleared his throat, pulling up resource charts on the main display. "Commander, while we are on the topic of long-term planning… I've been reviewing our current resource expenditure rates and projected yields with Doctor Otto Ronningen. While the situation is stable for the immediate future, and the thorium reactor is a boon, there are… potential long-term shortfalls in certain key trace elements and organic compounds, particularly if we maintain the current rate of reinstatement and industrial expansion."

He downplayed the severity, his tone calm, almost reassuring, before continuing. "Nothing to be alarmed about, of course! But prudent management suggests we should perhaps implement more rigorous prioritization protocols for resource-intensive projects. I would be happy to work with your team to develop a more… nuanced expenditure framework."

Elisa listened, recognizing the pattern. Another area where they sought to insert themselves, to control. "Director Ganbold, your diligence is appreciated. However, we are constantly reassessing our priorities based on evolving needs. I'm not prepared to commit to new expenditure frameworks until we have a clearer picture of future resource discoveries from the ongoing expeditions."

Dmitri smiled politely, a picture of helpful deference. "Of course, Commander. A wise approach. Perhaps we can revisit this once we have more data. My department stands ready to assist whenever you deem it appropriate."

Sasha Borodin then leaned forward, his usual smirk in place. "Speaking of personnel and efficiency, Commander… we were discussing Yao Guowei. An exemplary household guard, fiercely loyal, highly competent and of proven value to the colony. Given the expansion of our security needs, and Colonel Barinov's increasing responsibilities, Koko and I were thinking it might be opportune to formalize Guowei's role. Perhaps a promotion, integrating him officially into CorpSec's officer cadre? It would streamline command and provide the Colonel with a trusted lieutenant."

Elisa met Sasha's gaze. This was the move Tamarlyan had warned her about. She played her part. "Yao Guowei has indeed proven valuable, particularly in his dedication to young Master Federoff. Colonel Barinov, your thoughts on this?"

Maximilian, who had been observing silently, inclined his head. "Guowei is a disciplined operative. Integrating him into the formal CorpSec structure would be beneficial for operational cohesion." His endorsement was neutral, pragmatic.

"Then it seems a sensible step," Elisa conceded, offering a polite nod. "We can process the transfer and commission documents."

Sasha and Koko exchanged satisfied glances. They had their footholds: a committee to influence technology rollout, a small but growing foothold on resource allocation, and a loyalist in a key security position. They likely felt the meeting was a success, their objectives achieved. Koko began to gather her datapad, a subtle signal that their business was concluding.

But Elisa wasn't finished.

"Now that we've addressed these operational matters," she said, her voice still polite but carrying a new thread of inquiry, "I've been meaning to ask. With your considerable experience in large-scale ventures and corporate structuring, and your team's expertise, perhaps you've identified areas where your direct involvement could optimize some of our current base operations? For instance, Director Ganbold, your insights into streamlining our resource processing flow from the thorium mine to the reactor, or perhaps enhancing the efficiency of the nutrient synthesis for the newly revived – that would be invaluable."

A surprised silence fell over the topscalers. Davron Federoff's carefully composed expression didn't falter, but there was a fractional pause before he responded. Jiang Wei blinked slowly, and Dmitri Ganbold, who had been about to offer another cheerful platitude, seemed to momentarily deflate.

Elisa continued smoothly, her tone one of earnest curiosity. "We're a small team, stretched thin. Any practical expertise you could lend, even in an advisory capacity on the ground level for a few shifts, would significantly accelerate our progress. For example, Director Wei, perhaps you could work with our engineers to identify potential hardware bottlenecks or software optimizations?"

Jiang Wei managed a tight smile. "Commander, our strengths lie more in… strategic oversight and systems architecture at a macro level. The… granular, day-to-day operational details are typically managed by our specialized technical teams. Many of whom, as you know, are still awaiting reinstatement."

Davron offered a gracious, almost paternal smile. "Commander, your dedication to every facet of this colony is admirable. And yes, in time, as we become more fully acclimated and our key personnel are operational, we will certainly be in a position to offer more… direct guidance and support. For now, we believe our most valuable contribution is to provide the high-level strategic framework and ensure the colony's efforts align with established best practices for long-term viability."

Koko nodded in agreement. "Precisely. We wouldn't want to inadvertently disrupt the excellent work your current teams are doing by inserting ourselves prematurely into operational workflows we haven't fully assessed."

It was a masterful deflection, polite and reasonable, positioning their non-involvement as a considerate act of strategic patience rather than an aversion to hands-on work. They acknowledged the request, validated Elisa's initiative in asking, and then gently deferred any actual commitment.

Elisa offered a polite nod in return, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Understood, I appreciate your consideration for our current workflows. We will, of course, continue to keep you apprised of our progress and look forward to your… strategic insights as they develop."

She had pushed, gently. They had sidestepped, gracefully. No direct confrontation, no overt victory, but a subtle point had been made. She had invited them to engage on a practical level, and they had, for now, declined, retreating to the familiar high ground of "strategic oversight." It was a small clarification of boundaries, a quiet testing of the waters.

"Thank you all for your time," Elisa said, rising. "I trust we'll have productive follow-up discussions soon."

The topscalers murmured their assent, their composure restored, but as Elisa and Mei exited, a new, subtle tension lingered in the conference room.

===

The vehicle yard was filled with excitement, a stark contrast to the quiet apprehension that had settled over the base in the wake of the topscalers' revival. The newly dubbed Phoenix, the Dolya's recovered lander, sat gleaming under the harsh glare of the maintenance bay floodlights. Its once-battered hull was now patched and reinforced, its engines meticulously overhauled by Pom and the engineering team. Canisters of newly synthesized aviation fuel were being carefully pumped onboard, their pungent aroma mingling with the metallic tang of welding and lubricants.

Pom ran a final diagnostic check on the lander's primary flight controls, while Valeriya Marakova stood beside him, reviewing navigational charts on a datapad. This expedition to the storm's epicenter—the frozen anomaly where the Dolya wreckage had vanished—was high-risk, but the potential to understand the forces at play was too significant to ignore.

Jocelyn moved around the lander's cramped cargo hold, double-checking the seals on supply crates and ensuring every piece of equipment was securely stowed. Her presence was a comforting, if slightly unexpected, addition to the expedition roster. No one had overtly questioned her inclusion; perhaps it was Pom's unspoken need to keep her close, or perhaps, in this strange new world where death was a revolving door, the old rules of mission assignment were simply… looser.

Qian Shirong, the colony's lead physicist, was already strapped into one of the passenger seats, deep in consultation with Casimir Stephanov. Data from ARI's high-altitude drones scrolled across their shared tablet, displaying the unsettling images of the frozen circle and its dark central structures. Pell, the reinstated security operative, was doing a final walk-around of the lander's exterior, his movements betraying a newfound, almost cheerful confidence.

Pom caught Pell's eye as he climbed down from the cockpit. "Good to have you with us, Pell," Pom said, offering a genuine, if slightly startled, smile. He still found it jarring to see the man alive and well, the memory of his violent death in the Dolya's wreckage a vivid, unsettling counterpoint. But then, Pom reminded himself, more than half the people on this very expedition had, at one point or another, been declared deceased. Death was quickly becoming a remarkably flexible concept.

Yao Guowei, designated leader for this particular foray, strode towards the lander's boarding ramp, his expression a familiar mask of stern professionalism. He paused beside Pell, his gaze sweeping over the newly repaired aerospace craft.

"We just get this valuable asset back," Guowei grumbled, his voice low enough for only Pell and a nearby Pom to hear, "and now we're risking it on a speculative flight into a meteorological and geological anomaly of unknown hostile potential. Typical."

Pell grinned, slapping a hand against the lander's hull. "Yep. Seems we're more expendable than she is."

Pom let out a short, humorless laugh. "Well, that much hasn't changed." He caught Jocelyn's eye as she finished securing the last of the sample containers, and she offered him a small, reassuring smile. For a moment, the weight of the mission, the strangeness of their reality, seemed to lift.